California Median
$67,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $59,050
State Rank
#4 of 51
24,380 employed here
How much do Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity make in California?
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity working in California earn a median salary of $67,130 per year, or about $32.27 per hour. That is 14% above the national median of $59,050 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $48,600 while the top 10% make $90,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,540 and $76,920 a year.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,600 | $23.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $55,540 | $26.70 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $67,130 | $32.27 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $76,920 | $36.98 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,810 | $43.66 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in other states
New York $84,480Washington $72,280Hawaii $68,500Oregon $65,510Massachusetts $65,460Maryland $65,220Illinois $65,200Alaska $64,150Colorado $63,010Ohio $62,760Nevada $61,700New Jersey $61,140Missouri $60,660Delaware $60,510Connecticut $60,100Indiana $58,410Maine $57,870District of Columbia $55,580New Hampshire $54,830Kentucky $54,550Arizona $53,870Vermont $53,830Virginia $52,940Wisconsin $52,660Pennsylvania $51,360Utah $50,730Oklahoma $50,300Minnesota $50,200Idaho $49,000North Dakota $48,890Louisiana $48,860Texas $48,740Rhode Island $48,610Florida $48,300Tennessee $47,770Michigan $47,660Iowa $45,890Montana $45,640Wyoming $45,630New Mexico $45,610Georgia $45,500Nebraska $45,120North Carolina $44,060South Carolina $43,330South Dakota $41,590Kansas $41,340West Virginia $39,260Mississippi $38,570Alabama $37,700Arkansas $37,520
Working as Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in California
Nationally, about 159,000 people work as Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($67,130) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity make in California?
The median Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in California is $67,130 per year, or about $32.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,600 at the entry level to $90,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity about 14% more than the national median of $59,050. California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $67,130 a year. About 24,380 Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.